Larson Statement on the Heroes Act

Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the introduction of the Heroes Act to provide additional relief to Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. The Heroes Act builds on the needed relief provided through the Families First Act and CARES Act to establish hazard pay for essential workers, extend unemployment benefits through January 31^st, provide a second round of Economic Impact Payments, and more. This bill also provides nearly $1 trillion in vital funding to our states and local governments, whose revenues have been wiped out as they battle this pandemic on the frontlines. This is only the next step forward. American families and workers are going to continue to need support and our hospitals and health care heroes going to continue to need funding to do their jobs. This legislation offers a concrete next-step to the American people.

"Additionally, I fought for the inclusion of several provisions that were included in the Heroes Act that will help Connecticut families directly. The Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (VRIPA), exempts volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel from being taxed on benefits they receive in return for their service from their communities, such as property tax reductions and uniforms. Just last week, I visited a the Volunteer Fire Department in New Hartford, where I heard from first responders on this issue and how it has been working through this pandemic. Last year, Congress passed the SECURE Act, exempting volunteer first responders from being taxed on these nominal benefits during the 2020 tax year. This VRIPA provision is set to expire at the end of December, but, the Heroes Act will make it permanent.

"The Heroes Act also repeals the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap for two years. The repeal of this provision will put money back into the pockets of the Connecticut middle-class and provide relief to our towns and cities whose budgets have been battered by this crisis."

The Heroes Act also includes:

· $100 billion in emergency rental assistance and $75 billion in homeowner assistance

· $10 billion for SNAP and an increase in maximum and minimum payments

• An extension of the $600 increase in Unemployment Insurance Payments through January 2021
• Another round of Direct Payments of $1,200 per family member
• Nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial and tribal governments to pay for vital workers (first responders, health workers, and teachers) and protect them from losing jobs
  • $500 billion for states
  • $375 billion for local governments
  • $20 billion for territories
  • $20 billion for tribal governments
• A $200 billion Heroes' fund to ensure that frontline workers risking their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic receive hazard pay
• $1.3 billion in FEMA grants
• An enhancement of the new employee retention tax credit that encourages employers to keep their employees
• Measures to strengthen the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to ensure the relief reaches underserved communities and all non-profits
• $10 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) Loan Program

• $100 billion for education

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